LOCKED IN: The Los Angeles Dodgers have just finally accepted a Yoshinobu Yamamoto four year contract resignation, keeping him with the team until the end of 2028….See more

It is anticipated that the Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki will make his debut in the Major Leagues in 2025, and rumors suggest that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the top contenders to secure his signature. It is probable that he will not be able to join a team until after January. Fifteen individuals within the industry have already identified a prominent leader.

In the latest episode of Baseball Tonight on November 14th, Buster Olney from ESPN shared insights on Sasaki’s chances in free agency following conversations with every single MLB general manager.

In theory, he has the possibility of joining any of the 30 teams since he is unlikely to secure a lucrative contract like (Yoshinobu) Yamamoto did last winter. Olney suggested that he will end up accepting a deal with very few benefits, similar to what Shohei Ohtani did. I engaged in a dialogue with high-ranking officials regarding this matter. All 30 teams are convinced that he will join the Dodgers. Is that not the truth we face? His heart remains a mystery to us, concealed behind a veil of uncertainty. Only when he engages in these conversations will you truly understand.
Additional updates: The Dodgers add yet another pitcher to their roster as they continue to strengthen their pitching staff in Los Angeles.

In 2021, at the age of 19, Sasaki caused a sensation in Japan by achieving a remarkable 1.84 ERA in 16 starts. His exceptional performance as a pitcher captured global interest in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he became part of a top-tier Japanese pitching lineup alongside Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

With a height of 6 feet and 3 inches, Sasaki has been a dominant presence in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for four seasons. Throughout his career, he has maintained an impressive 2.02 ERA, striking out 11.4 batters per nine innings, walking only 2.0 per nine, and allowing just 6.0 hits per nine innings. His exceptional skill has led to being likened to top pitchers globally.

The main focus now revolves around the potential earnings Sasaki could secure in MLB once he proves himself. According to Jonathan Mayo from MLB.com, a prominent international scouting director is convinced that the pitcher has the potential to earn a substantial amount of money. “An abundance.”

Yamamoto has just inked an unprecedented 12-year, $325 million agreement with the Dodgers, while Sasaki’s young age and impressive abilities indicate that he may also secure a colossal contract in the future. One executive pondered, “I believe he could fetch between $275-300 million in a free market over a span of 10 years – that’s the amount I would estimate he would receive.” There are no boundaries for this individual when it comes to reaching his potential.

While Sasaki gets ready for the upcoming stage of his professional journey, the baseball community is excitedly anticipating the influence he will have in the major leagues.